poor thing

Woody · Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: poor thing

DES: I QUIT COUNTDOWN
EXCLUSIVE: He tells Mirror 'travel is wearing me out'
By Nicola Methven, Tv Editor
DES Lynam told yesterday how the gruelling Countdown schedule has left him so drained he has decided to quit.

Channel 4 bosses were so keen to keep him they were prepared to shift the show from Leeds to London next year so he could cut down on his travelling.

But the presenter, who lives in Worthing, West Sussex, 250 miles from Leeds, decided it would be too inconvenient for others on the show.

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He told the Mirror: "I didn't want to be responsible for that disruption. It would be unforgivable.

"When I was first asked to do the series, I asked if there was any chance of it being made in London. But it stayed in Leeds. Then the number of shows a year went up from 180 to more than 200. I was travelling up and down to Leeds sometimes every week.

"We do five shows in a day which everybody finds extremely tiring. It's the sort of schedule I don't want to commit myself to any more.

"I've decided that after a year and a half, that'll do nicely. I'm going to withdraw and save the wear and tear."

Des, 64 - who took over from Richard Whiteley 18 months ago - said moving the show to London seemed sensible as he and co-presenters Carol Vorderman and Dictionary Corner's Susie Dent live in the south.

He said: "I made one stipulation. I didn't want anyone to lose their job or be unduly inconvenienced. If that were the case I didn't want to do it."

Des was first told the fallout would be minimal. But he later learned a number of people would be affected, including some camera crew who have been on Countdown since the first show 24 years ago.

HE said: "Channel 4 agreed we'd do the show in London from January, but I didn't want responsibility for that disruption.

"Lots of people have devoted their lives to Countdown. What if I'd said 'Right, let's do it in London' and then six months later decided to leave?"

After the Mirror revealed Des had asked for the programme to be moved to London, there was an outcry from viewers. He sighed: "I found myself the devil of the piece for daring suggest it. There was also a lot of response from fans who didn't want it to move away from Leeds. Now I realise the show belongs there." He insists that the decision to leave is not because he is suffering from any illness.

Des said he will miss his Countdown colleagues and the fans but knows he has made the right choice.

He said: "I knew instinctively this was the right thing to do. I talked to my loved ones and they agreed.

"I did say when I started that if I didn't fit in, or if people didn't warm to me, that I'd walk away from it.

"Actually, I've felt that I've fitted in pretty well, and had a nice reaction from the audience. The figures went up, everyone seemed pleased.

"I sort of fell on the air with it. Then it got a bit better as time went on. There's no rehearsal, you just fly by the seat of your pants. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't."

He disclosed it was tough taking over from such a popular host as Richard, saying: "When I started I was a bit twitchy because everybody there was so used to him. I think Richard would be shocked I'm stopping because he spent so long at the helm. Although I've enjoyed it thoroughly I didn't expect a 10-year tenure."

Des said he was glad to be leaving the show, which is watched by 2.7million viewers, in fine fettle.

He said: "It's a very healthy programme and will continue to thrive. People watch because they want to challenge their grey matter. I've great respect for the show."

He has no plans to launch himself straight into new TV or radio projects, but is certainly not retiring.

Des said: "I've got a few bits and pieces going on, but I shall probably stare into space for a short while and have a bit of a break."

BY the time he leaves, he will have fronted around 300 instalments of Countdown. He laughed: "I don't suppose I did many more Grandstands than that.

"I've had a marvellous time working here, the people have been absolutely charming to me."

Des said that he has got on famously with Carol and Susie is pleased with the reaction he had from the fans.

He added: "I don't think I was everybody's taste but I've had wonderful correspondence since I started.

"People in the street mention it all the time, more so than they did the sports programmes, which is extraordinary."

Now bosses at Channel 4 and Yorkshire Television face the task of replacing the presenter of the station's oldest and best-loved show.

But Des does not think it will be too tough for them.

He said: "When Richard died I don't think it was very long before people started hammering down the door offering their services. Whoever takes over, I wish them the very best of luck."

CAROL Vorderman is taking part in the Great North Run in Newcastle tomorrow in memory of Richard. Proceeds to Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. To donate, log onto www.justgiving.com/walking forwhiteley

You had to drive to Leeds once a week ??????? poor tw@